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Amnesty International issued a stern warning on Friday, accusing Madagascar’s authorities of utilising arbitrary arrests to create a “climate of fear” designed to suppress political dissent.
The human rights organisation claims that the current administration is using ambiguous legal charges, such as criminal conspiracy and threats to national security, to target civil society members and young activists who have voiced concerns over the country’s governance.
The Indian Ocean nation has been under the leadership of Colonel Michael Randrianirina since October, following a period of intense youth-led protests that removed the previous president.
Recently, security forces have arrested several individuals during demonstrations in the capital, Antananarivo, where citizens have been protesting against corruption and the slow pace of promised reforms.
While the interim president has denied staging a coup and pledged a return to civilian rule by 2027, he has also accused protesters of being influenced by foreign interests.
This reported “backsliding” on civil liberties has sparked widespread concern among dozens of local and international advocacy groups.
Organisations like Transparency International have highlighted a worrying trend in the erosion of political rights, while judicial unions have called on the state to protect the safety and freedom of its citizens.
Despite being a major global producer of vanilla and possessing rich biodiversity, Madagascar remains one of the world’s most impoverished countries, fuelling the public frustration at the heart of the current unrest.
